Google to censor content in China - 5 views

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  #1 Paul Melissa on 31 Aug 09

   

  http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2006/01/25/google-china060125.html
  
  Google agreed to Beijing's censorship policies limiting search results in order to get broader access to the large market. Google said providing some content in China is better than being blocked completely.
  "While removing search results is inconsistent with Google's mission, providing no information (or a heavily degraded user experience that amounts to no information) is more inconsistent with our mission." This move has upset many media watchdog groups including Reporters without Borders.
  
  Ethical Question:
  Is freedom of expression compromised here?
  On one hand, without censorship, the people of China will be denied access to Google content.
  On the other hand, with censorship, the people of China will at least have access to Google though partially. Therefore, either way, online users in China is denied complete freedom of expression. The better end of the bargain seems to be having censorship than not to have it at all.
  
  Also, has freedom of expression been neglected in favor of establishing business ties and relations with the hard-handed China? Is Google being ethical? Will it have moral repercussions on the rest of the world. International bodies may respond negatively to Google's move.

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner"><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2006/01/25/google-china060125.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2006/01/25/google-china060125.html</a> <br /> <br /> Google agreed to Beijing's censorship policies limiting search results in order to get broader access to the large market. Google said providing some content in China is better than being blocked completely. <br /> "While removing search results is inconsistent with Google's mission, providing no information (or a heavily degraded user experience that amounts to no information) is more inconsistent with our mission." This move has upset many media watchdog groups including Reporters without Borders. <br /> <br /> Ethical Question: <br /> Is freedom of expression compromised here? <br /> On one hand, without censorship, the people of China will be denied access to Google content. <br /> On the other hand, with censorship, the people of China will at least have access to Google though partially. Therefore, either way, online users in China is denied complete freedom of expression. The better end of the bargain seems to be having censorship than not to have it at all. <br /> <br /> Also, has freedom of expression been neglected in favor of establishing business ties and relations with the hard-handed China? Is Google being ethical? Will it have moral repercussions on the rest of the world. International bodies may respond negatively to Google's move.</div>

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